According to loverists, Las Vegas is a major tourism center with around 39 million tourists annually. The volume of traffic in the city is correspondingly high.
Airport
- Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
The airport is located close to the city just 2 km from the Las Vegas Strip and 6 km from downtown. In terms of traffic volume, it is one of the largest in the USA (approx. 800 flights per day). 20 airlines have over 70 non-stop connections to other airports through McCarran. The Main Terminal has 3 concourses. There are three information booths in the Main Terminal alone, one information booth in Terminal C. Luggage storage is also located in the Main Terminal. There are over 90 restaurants, snack bars and shops in the airport as well as – of course – a slot / video gaming area and a museum.
McCarran Aviation History Museum: The main baggage handling exhibit is open 24 hours a day and features exhibits on the aviation pioneers of southern Nevada. There is another exhibition in the Signature Flight Support Building (6005 Las Vegas Blvd. S.), Mon – Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The following applies to both exhibitions: No entry.
All major rental car companies are represented at the airport. Minibuses run every 30 minutes to the Strip (about $ 4) and downtown (about $ 5). Bell Trans also offers a limousine service if you want to get to your hotel in style in a long vehicle (around $ 30).
The taxis are located outside the arrival area. A ride to the south end of the Strip should cost $ 8.50 to $ 12, the center of the Strip $ 10-14, the north end of the Strip up to $ 15, and downtown $ 15-19. In rush hour the price can increase by approximately $ 5. Attention: there is always the tip (15 to 20%).
Park
Las Vegas is a driver-friendly city: parking is free everywhere and there are plenty of parking spaces. Self-parking in the garages of large hotels and casinos is possible without any problems; some of the facilities are huge, so make sure to note the parking deck and space number Almost every hotel also offers valet parking free of charge (the car is parked), but a tip of $ 1 to $ 2 is required (when parking in and out).
Transportation in the city
- buses
The buses of the CAT (Citizens Area Transit) (Tel. 228-7433) serve the inner city area. Routes 301 and 302 (Strip Express) run along the entire strip to downtown approximately every 10 minutes between 5:30 a.m. and midnight and every 15 minutes between midnight and 5:30 a.m. The fare must be thrown in appropriately (no change) or the purchase of appropriate tokens / passes is required. If you change a bus route, you must ask the bus driver for a so-called transfer ticket before disembarking so that you can continue on the old card without being disturbed.
- Las Vegas Strip Trolley
The replica trams on wheels travel along the Strip between Mandalay Bay and Stratosphere Tower with a detour to the Las Vegas Hilton and stop at the largest hotel casinos at a fare of $ 1.50 between 9.30 a.m. and 1.45 a.m.
- Downtown trolley
The comparable Downtown Trolley (Tel. 229-0624) circles between Downtown and Stratosphere Tower approximately every 30 minutes between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. at a price of $ 0.50.
- Monorails
Several casinos on the Strip are connected by fully air-conditioned and free monorails. For those who are on foot, this is an ideal means of transport to cover greater distances, but the way to the monorail always leads through the entire casino:
- Bally’s – MGM Grand: Daily from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., approx. Every quarter of an hour, stops are not air-conditioned.
- Bellagio – Monte Carlo: Daily from 8 a.m. to 4 a.m.: runs approx. Every 5 minutes, stops are air-conditioned.
- Mirage – Treasure Island: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.
- Mandalay Bay – Excalibur: Daily 24 hours (stops on the return journey from Mandalay Bay at Luxor)
Robert N. Broadbent Las Vegas Monorail: The newest attraction has become a monorail, which connects the main attractions of the Strip and is to be expanded to downtown Las Vegas. The completed route runs from the MGM Grand Hotel to the Sahara and covers four miles. Travel time is only 14 minutes at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour. This is an ideal means of transport, especially for tourists. The following 7 stations are served along the strip on the 4-mile route: MGM Grand – Bally’s / Paris – Flamingo / Caesars Palace – Harrah’s / Imperial Pallace – Las Vegas Concention Center – Las Vegas Hilton – Sahara.
Operation of the monorail has been open since December 24, 2004, and all 7 stations have been opened. The monorail runs daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m., Friday to Sunday until 3 a.m. A single trip is $ 5 and a day pass is $ 15. Tickets and other types of passes are available from all participating hotels, the monorail stations and on the Internet. By November 1, 2005, the monorail had carried 10,000,000 visitors.
The monorail runs on the east side of the Strip behind the casinos. It is only partially recommended for tours of the Strip because of the stops at the back of the casinos. The free monorails mentioned in the overview above are cheaper because they run on the west side of the Strip. More details on the Monorail website.
Taxis
A flat rate of $ 2.20 is charged at the start of the journey plus 30 cents per 1/5 mile (about 0.3 km) or per minute of waiting time. There is a $ 1.20 surcharge for trips to the airport. Tips are expected to be 15 to 20% of the fare.
Rental car
The VAT when renting a car is 7.25%. If the rental car is rented at the airport, there is a surcharge of 6% as well as a calculation of airport taxes of 10%! Renting in the city is therefore generally cheaper. The return of the car at the airport can be carried out without any special charges.
